Holding devices for form boards and the like



P. S. CLYNCKE HOLDING DEVICES FOR FORM BOARDS AND THE LIKE Filed July 11, 1955 Nov. 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m w m m POL LETE 5. CLY/VCKE BY $41.00!! V V L A TTORNE Y 10, 1959 P. s. CLYNCKE 2,911,702

HOLDI NG DEVICES FOR FORM BOARDS AND THE LIKE Filed July 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. POL /E TE .5. CL YNCKE BY WKh/W A T TOR/V5 Y UQ Cd States Patent HOLDING DEVICES FOR FORM BOARDS AND THE LIKE Poliete S. Clyncke, Boulder County, Colo.

Application July 11, 1955, Serial N0. 521,336

8 Claims. (Cl. 25-118) This invention relates to holding devices for forms, particularly forms for concrete footings, which normally consist of spaced, parallel, upright form boards.

In providing adequate support for form boards, particularly form boards for comparativelylow concrete footings and the like, it is ordinarily somewhat diificult to hold adequately such forms, The use of wooden stakes is often impossible, since concrete footings are normally placed at the bottom of an excavation'and the ground may often be rocky. Thus, wooden stakes are hard to drivein rocky ground and often cannot be driven a sufiicient-distance to adequately prevent the form boards from moving outwardly when concrete is poured therebetween. Also, if a Wooden stake can be driven, more often than not it will shift while being driven, or the spot at which it can be driven is offset from the desired position. If braces are nailed or otherwise attached across the tops of the boards, they interfere seriously with the use of a striking plate or board to level off the concrete after pouring, and also do not adequately anchor the forms to the ground, so that the footings can move during or after pouring. Sharp steel stakes can be driven into rocky ground, at each side of the form boards, but such stakes often do not resist a tendency for the form boards to move apart at the top when the concrete is poured between thesame. To attach the steel stakes together, as by wire, is time consuming and thus involves excessive labor costs. Furthermore, wooden form boards are; lighter in specific gravity than concrete and tend to float upwardly when the concrete is poured, so that steel stakes attached together by Wires a sufiicient distance above the form boards to prevent interference with a striking blade do not hold the form boards securely against the ground.

i Among the objects of the present invention are t providean'improved holding device for spaced, upright form boards for concrete footings and the like, which will adequately hold the form boards down, which can be: driven into rocky or rough ground, which can be re used numerous times, which prevent the form boards from. floating upwardly when the concrete is poured therebetweemand which do not interfere with the use of a striking blade against the tops of the form boards. Theforegoing objects are accomplished by providing a plurality of. holders, each having a top and spaced depending. sideshaving lower. ends adapted to be driven into the ground as stakes. Preferably, the holders are madeof steel or other metalpoint'ed or otherwise sharpened'at the lower ends so that they can'be readily driven.-

into rocky ground. The height of the sides of the holders is sufficient sothat the tops of the holders will be above the upper edges of the form boards a distance sufiicient to permit a striking blade to be moved along such edges. In addition, at each joint between the side boards, such joints normally being-spaced alternatelyalong the opposite sides, one of the holder'sides is provided with a clamping. device which is adjustable on the holder and which engages the tops of the form boards at the joint.

Inadgition, such a clamping device is also preferably r, 2,911,702 Patented Now ll),

I can be loosened when the holding devices are pulled upwardly, or the devices, when attached to the form boards, are detached. I

Among further objects of the invention are to providev such holders which may be made in several different forms, including one form which is made especially for a single width footing and another form which is ad justable to accommodate different widths of the footing; and to provide such holding devices which are readily and economically manufactured and which are adapted to withstand the rigours of hard usage.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan View of a portion of a form for. a concrete footing, with which holding devices constructed in accordance with this invention are utilized;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical section, taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation of a portion of one of the holding devices, taken from the position of line 3-3 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the holdv ing device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 isa perspective view of a holding device con-' structedin accordance with.this invention and forming.

tive tothat ofthe holdingdevice of Fig. 4;

illustrating a further alternative form device of Figs. 3 and 4; and

Fig, l is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 6 1 'f Fig. 8 is an enlarged view similar to Fig, '7, but show. ing an alternative form thereof; l

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Fig, '.6, .of the holding Fig. 10 is a horizontal cross section, looking upwardly along line 1010 of Fig. 9. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a series of holders H 1 and H, constructed in accordance with this invention,"

maybe utilized in holding in a desired position a series of form boards 10, 11, 12 and 1 3 for pouring a concrete footing 14'of Fig. 2 at a prepared position on ground'15. Boards 10 and 11 are disposed on one side andboards:

5 12 and 13 on the opposite side of the form, with the joint between the boards 10 and 11- ofiset longitudinally from the joint between boards 12 and 13. It will be understood, of course, that the length of the-footing 14 (see Fig.2) to be poured will determine the length or'numberof form boards'to' be used and that only one jointor a plurality of joints between the form' boards thus may be required, while the width of the form boards will 'n'olr mally correspond to'the depth of the footingi p Eachof the'holders H, as in Fig. 2,-includes atop 2.0;

and sides 21 which extend downwardly from the top and" are provided with sharpened orpointed-lower ends 22, adapted to be driven as stakes into the ground 15., par-.7 ticularly when rocky. The holders H may .be.m'ade'. of a suitable metal, of round or any other desired shape;

in cross section, such as in. ,cold. rolled ,steel,.=rod.-.

The pointed, end-22 of each side ,21 may. be produced.

by grinding, forging oranypother desirjedmanner. '-iThe length of each side 21 is preferably suchthatiafter, the; holding device H has been driven into the ground,'- ;thet;

2 lb a e ve hei r sreqs sstt gfc n:

the upper edges of the form boards and a striking plate cannot be moved directly along the form boards past both sides 21, the striking plate may be shifted from side to side during use so that one end and then the other will clear the respective sides 21, but with the striking plate still in engagement with the upper edge of the respective form board. The holding devices H may be driven into the ground by a sledge hammer or the like and thus are formed of material which will withstand the impact of the blows during driving and also the force produced when the holding device is pulled out of the ground. after the concretehas set sutficiently that the form. boards may be removed. The holding devices H are particularly adapted to be placed in positions intermediate the joints between form boards and also may be made in a single size for each width of footing to be constructed. The sides 21 of the holders H may be bent perpendicularly to the top 20 after local heating, as with an oxyacetylene torch at an appropriate position, while such local heating may also be utilized preparatory to forging pointedends 22. Or, the sides 21 may be bent cold and the ends 22 sharpened by grinding.

At each joint between abutting form boards, a holder H, also constructed in accordance with this invention, is preferably utilized. Each holder H is similar to a holder H, except that a series of notches 23 may be ground, machined or otherwise suitably produced, as in spaced vertical relation, on the outside of one side or stake 24 of a holder H, the top 20 and the opposite side 21 thus being similar to holder H. The notches 23 cooperate with a clamping device or clip C, which may be formed from bar or plate stock and provided with a body or flat member 25 having a hole 26 through which the side 24 passes, together with a depending flange 27 at. the inner end adapted to fit over the inner edges of the abutting form boards at the joint, as in Fig. 4. At the outer end, a generally arcuate flange 28 extends upwardly and inwardly, while the inner edge 29 of flange 28 may be ground or machined to a blunt or sharper point, so as to engage one of the notches 23.

The clamping device C may also include a bar 30 which is adapted to extend longitudinally along the outside of the form boards at the joint, adjacent the upper edges thereof, bar 30 preferably being located centrally with. respect to the body 25 and the upper edge thereof welded or otherwise suitably attached to the underside of the body 25. Adjacent each end, the bar 30 may be provided with one or more holes 31 of Fig. 4,.through which a nail 32 of Fig. 3, shown also in phantom outline in Fig. 4, or other. suitable attaching device, may be driven. The holes 31,for nails 32 are preferably disposed laterally from the ends of the form boards involved so that there is no danger of splitting the end of the form board when the nails 32 are driven. Also, so that theclamping device C will not be lost when a holder H is removed, stored or moved about, a stop 33 may be provided on, the outside of the side 24 a suflicient distance below the lowest notch 23 so that the desired positioning of the clamping device C will. not be interfered with. The stop 33 is conveniently made by weld metal deposited on the. side 24..

As will be. evident from Figs. 3 and 4, the: body 25. holds the adjacent form. boards down at the joint, while the inner flange 27 prevents the ends of the form boards from. moving inwardly and the bar 30 prevents the ends of theform-boards from moving outwardly, while the clampingdevice C is also securely attached to the form boards by the nails 32 or the equivalent thereof. The size of hole- 26 through which the side 24 of the holding device" passes, preferably provides suflicient clearance for easy movement, the hole 26 preferably being made slightly oblong or elongated in a lateral direction when the side 24 is round, so that the body 25 may be tipped slightly about a horizontal axis relative to the side 24 and still move therealong. The edge 29 of flange 28 is preferably spaced inwardly a slight distance from the outer edge of hole 26, so that with the clamping device C tipped up slightly on the inside, the edge 29 will clear the outer edge of the side 24, but when the clamping device is moved to the position of Fig. 4, with the body 25 substantially horizontal, the flange edge 29 will engage one of the notches 23 and upward movement of the clamping device C relative to the side 24 will be prevented. It is to be noted that, after the nails 32 or the equivalent thereof have been secured in position, the clamping device C is held securely in this horizontal position so that the abutting ends of the two form boards are locked down. This adequately prevents the form boards from floating up when concrete is poured therebetween, as well as holding the form boards securely in a desired position. In addition, when the form boards are leveled, as by a transit, if any joint is low, it may be raised by moving the flange edge 29 to the next notch 23 above. Although the extent to which a holding device H can be driven into the ground may vary in accordance with the conditions encountered, the series of notches 23 permit the clamping device C to be adjusted in position. In general, if the ends of holders H or H are embedded in the ground a sulficient distance to stand alone, they will prevent the form boards from spreading apart.

As indicated previously, the holders H and H may be made in sets for each specific width of footing which is to be poured, although in the event that the widths of the footing to be poured vary considerably and an undue number of sets would be required, a holder having an adjustable top, such as illustrated in Fig. 5, may be utilized. The holder of Fig. 5 is similar to the holder H of Figs. 1 and 2, except that the entire top is not integral with the sides 21 but rather each side 21 is connected to a top section 20. The top sections 20 may be connected together, as by any suitable type of clamping or connecting device, such as a pair of clamps similar to guy wire clamps, each including a saddle 35 and a U-bolt 36. As shown, the top sections 20' of the holding device of Fig. 5 are placed side by side when clamped together, but it will be understood that they may be placed in any other desired position. Also, any other suitable type of adjustable connection may be utilized, such as a sleeve into which the top sections 20 fit and which is provided with clamping screws or the like for the top sections 20. As will be evident, when a relatively narrow footing is to be poured, the top sections 20' may be adjusted relative to each other so that the sides 21 will be spaced only a relatively short distance apart, with the spacing between the sides 21 being increased in accordance with the increase in the width of the footing to be poured. For adjustable holders. similar to holders H, i.e., holders particularly adapted to be placedat the position of a joint between the ends. of two adjacent form boards, a holder similar to Fig. 5 may be utilized except. that one of the sides 21 may be provided with. notches: 23 in substantially the same manner as the side 24 of the holder H of Figs. 1, 3 ad. 4. Also, a clamping device C, similar to that previously described, may be utilized in conjunction with the notched side. It will be understood, of course, that once the holders have been adjusted to the desired width, installation, removal and other operations may be accomplished in the same or a manner similar to other holders described.

yTheholders H and clamping devices may be made difierently from the construction previously described, such as in the forms illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive. As in 'Figs'. 6' and 7, a clamping device C may be providedwith a body 25, depending flange 27 and bar 30' having holes through which nails 32 or the like may bev driven into the abutting form boards. However, the end of the outer flange 28', which extends upwardly and then inwardly, as before, does not engage the notches, but the end 40 thereof may extend upwardly along the outside of side 24' of the holder. Also, the notches 41 on the outside of side 24' are arcuate and preferably nearly semicircular so that with a similarly shaped notch 42 formed in the inner edge of flange end 40, a nail 43 or other round object may be inserted between notch 42 and the notch 41 opposite the same, to lock the clamping device C to the side 24'. As in Fig. 6, the end 40 of flange 28 may be integral with the flange and merely bent up from the same, although as in Fig. 8, a similar end 40' for a similar flange 28" may be a separate piece welded or otherwise suitably attached to the flange 28'.

As in Figs. 9 and 10, notches 23', similar to notches 23 but placed along the inside of side 24" of a holder H, may cooperate with a clamp C". The latter includes a body 45 which engages the upper edges of the form boards and is provided with an inner depending flange 27 and a bar 30 which respectively extend downwardly along the inside and outside of the abutting form boards. Body 45 merely extends outwardly past side 24" of the holder, but is provided with a hole 26', similar to hole 26 of clamp C of Fig. 4. However, the outer lower corner of bar 30 is provided with an outwardly directed, laterally extending point or wedge shaped flange 46 which engages one of the notches 23' to lock the clamping device C" in position. Flange 46 may be formed by forging the material at the lower outer corner of bar 30 into the desired shape, or by Welding or otherwise suitably attaching a separate piece to the lower edge of bar 30', or in any other suitable manner. The lateral extent of flange 46 need not be great and conveniently may be considerably less than the distance between the holes through which nails 32 or other attaching devices extend, as in Fig. 9, such as approximately the width of body 45, as shown, or even less. If desired, the clamp C" may be attached to side 24" in a manner similar to that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. That is, notches 23' may be arcuate and an arcuate slot provided in bar 30', such as adjacent body 45, so that a nail or similar round object may be inserted between the slot in bar 30 and an oppositely disposed notch in side 24".

For assembly, the form boards may be laid out on the space to be occupied by the footing and one of the holding devices H driven into the ground until firm, after which the form boards which are to abut at this holding device may be placed upright in end to end relationship, and the clamping device C moved down over the ends of the form boards until the flange 29 engages a notch 24 next above the upper edges of the form boards. At that time, there maybe a slight clearance between the underside of the body 25 and the upper edges of the form boards. However, the depending flange 27 and bar 30 preferably extend downwardly further than the distance between two adjacent notches 23, so that the sides of the form boards will be held between the flange 27 and the bar 30. Then, the holding device H can be driven into the ground further, until the underside of the body 25 is snug against the upper edge of the ends of the form boards. Then, the nails 32 or the equivalent, may be placed in position, thus holding the two form boards securely in place. Each holder H, either as in Figs. 3 and 4, or when constructed in the manner shown in Figs. 6 to 8 or Figs. 9 and 10, may be installed in a similar manner. After the holders H have been placed in position, the holding devices or holders H may be driven into the ground, straddling the form boards so as to prevent outward movement thereof and hold them more securely in place during pouring of the concrete. As will be evident, the holding devices H do not require a high degree of accuracy in spacing, so that a suitable position for readily driving them into the ground may be determined.

After the concrete has been poured into the forms and the upper edge leveled, as by a striking plate or board, the

upper surface may be left relatively rough or finished oif in any desired manner. Since the form boards do not spread, a uniform width between the form boards is produced, so that no excess concrete is required with a resultant saving in concrete. After the concrete has set sufficiently to permit the removal of the forms,,each holder H may be loosened, as by blows on alternatesides by a sledge hammer or by direct lifting with a lifting bar. After the holders H have been removed, one of the holders H can be loosened and lifted, with the ends of the attached form boards being pulled upwardly with it, after which the nails 32 or the equivalent thereof, can be removed. Or, the nails 32 can first be removed and the holder loosened sutficiently so that the clamping device C will clear the form board, whereupon the entire holder can be lifted off and the form boards later removed. It will be understood, of course, that any other suitable manner of installing and/orremoving the holders, in addition to the example described'above, may be utilized.

Although different embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described and certain variations therein indicated, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and additional variations may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A holding device for a joint between horizontal form boards for concrete footings, said form boards being juxtaposed end to end in spaced, upright relation, comprising a stake provided with vertically spaced notches and adapted to be driven into the ground outside said joint in upright position; and a clip including a member for engaging the upper edge of each form board at said joint and provided with a hole through which said stake passes, said member being provided at its inner end with a depending flange adapted to engage the inside of said form boards at said joint, a bar attached to the underside of said member adjacent said hole and extending at right angles to said member and in the same direction as'said form boards so as to be disposed between said stake and said form boards and adapted to engage the outside of said juxtaposed form boards at said joint, said bar being provided with means for attachment to said form boards at each side of said joint and said clip being provided with means in alignment with said hole for selectively engaging one of said notches to attach said clip to said stake at a selected position.

2. A holding device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for selectively engaging one of said notches comprises the inner end of a generally arcuate outer flange of said member, said outer flange extending outwardly and upwardly then inwardly to provide said inner end.

3. A holding device as defined in claim 1, wherein said stake notches are generally arcuate; and said means for selectively engaging one of said notches comprises an outer flange of said member extending outwardly and upwardly then inwardly to an upstanding portion, said upstanding portion having an arcuate notch therein for engagement with a round object which also engages one of said notches.

4. A holding device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for selectively engaging one of said notches comprises a flange extending outwardly from and adjacent the lower edge of said bar.

5. A clip for holding form boards at a joint in asso ciation with a stake extending into the ground adjacent said joint, said form boards being disposed horizontally and juxtaposed end to end in spaced, upright relation, comprising a flat member for engaging the upper edges of said form boards at said joint, said member being provided at its inner end with a depending flange adapted to engage the inside of said form boards at said joint and adjacent its outer end with a hole; a bar attached to the underside of said member inwardly of and adjacent said hole, said bar extending at right angles to said member and in the same direction as said form boards and adapted to engage the outside of the juxtaposed form boards at said joint; said bar being provided with meansfor attachment to said form boards at each side of said joint; and said clip being provided with means for attaching said clip at a selected position to said stake when extending through said hole.

6. A clip as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for attaching said clip to said stake comprises the inner end of a generally arcuate outer flange of said member, said outer flange extending outwardly and upwardly then inwardly to provide said inner end, said inner end being engageable with one of a series of notches in said stake.

7. A clip as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for attaching said clip to said stake comprises an outer flange of said member extending outwardly and upwardly then inwardly to an upstanding portion; said upstanding portion having an arcuate notch therein for engagement with a round object which also engages one of a series of arcuate notches in said stake.

8. A clipv as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for attaching said clip to said stake comprises a flange extending outwardly from and adjacent the lower edge of said bar for engaging one of a series of notches in said stake.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 640,377 Haentges Jan. 2, 1900 1,214,870 Zeiser Feb. 6, 1917 1,345,179 Heltzel June 29, 1920 1,465,782 McLain Apr. 21, 1923 1,770,518 Harrold July 15, 1930 2,526,529 Arrighini et a1. Oct. 17, 1950 2,702,420 Williams Feb. 22, 1955 2,711,573 Bliss June 28, 1955 2,727,294 Arrighini Dec. 20, 1955 

